A vs MRK
Agilent Technologies, Inc. compared with Merck & Co., Inc. on yield, payout growth, payment schedule, cost and risk.
A
Agilent Technologies, Inc.
TTM yield · Quarterly
MRK
Merck & Co., Inc.
TTM yield · Quarterly
Quick take
- MRK yields more today: 2.29% vs 0.69% (forward).
- MRK has grown its payout faster: 6.3%/yr vs 5.9%/yr over the last 5 years.
- Both pay every quarter.
- MRK has the longer streak of annual increases: 15 years vs 0.
- Over the last year MRK delivered the higher total return: +80.5% vs +17.7% (price change plus payouts).
- A raises fewer payout-risk flags on our heuristic (low vs low).
Generated from the latest data on both pages. Not a recommendation.
Side by side
| Metric | A | MRK |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $146.85 | $148.46 |
| TTM yield | 0.69% | 2.26% |
| Forward yield | 0.69% | 2.29% |
| Annual payout per share | $1.02 | $3.40 |
| Payment frequency | Quarterly | Quarterly |
| Next ex-date | Sep 29, 2026 (est.) | Sep 15, 2026 (declared) |
| Payout ratio (earnings) | 20% | 269% |
| 1-year payout growth | +3.4% | +5.0% |
| 5-year payout CAGR | +5.9% | +6.3% |
| Consecutive years of increases | 0 years | 15 years |
| Payout consistency (last 12) | 96/100 | 95/100 |
| 1-year total return | +17.7% | +80.5% |
| 1-year price return | +16.9% | +76.5% |
| Size (market cap / AUM) | 41.4B | 366.3B |
| Years paying | 19.9 | 64.5 |
| Payout risk (heuristic) | Low | Low |
| Sector / category | Healthcare | Healthcare |
✓ marks the more favourable figure where one exists (higher yield, growth, streak, consistency, return and size; lower cost, payout ratio and risk).
$10,000 invested today
| A | MRK | |
|---|---|---|
| Shares | 68.1 | 67.4 |
| Income per year | $69 | $229 |
| Income per month (avg) | $6 | $19 |
Next payments
| Ex-date | Pay date | Per share | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Sep 29, 2026 | Oct 13, 2026 | $0.255 | Est. |
| A Dec 29, 2026 | Jan 12, 2027 | $0.255 | Est. |
| A Mar 30, 2027 | Apr 13, 2027 | $0.255 | Est. |
| MRK Sep 15, 2026 | Oct 7, 2026 | $0.85 | Declared |
| MRK Dec 15, 2026 | Dec 29, 2026 | $0.85 | Est. |
| MRK Mar 16, 2027 | Mar 30, 2027 | $0.85 | Est. |
Annual payouts per share
AMRK
Regular payments only; the current year is year to date. Per-share amounts are not directly comparable when share prices differ, so read this chart for growth trends.
FAQ
Which has the higher dividend yield, A or MRK?
MRK currently has the higher trailing yield: A yields 0.69% and MRK yields 2.26%. Yield changes daily with price, so check the live figures above.
How often do A and MRK pay?
A pays every quarter and MRK pays every quarter. A's next ex-date is Sep 29, 2026 and MRK's is Sep 15, 2026.
Which has grown its dividend faster, A or MRK?
MRK has grown its payout faster: 6.3%/yr vs 5.9%/yr over the last 5 years.
Is A or MRK better for income?
It depends on what you are optimising for. A and MRK differ in yield, growth, payment schedule and risk profile; the table above puts every metric side by side so you can weigh them for your own goals. This page is data, not advice.